Page 70 of Counterpoint and Harmony

“Never. I don’t want time. Now that I know there’ll be a next time, I can be ready for it.” He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, one of his hands intercepting mine as it approaches the level of his belly button, catching my wrist and placing my hand back on his chest, where he holds it in place with his own. “I knew people were taking pictures at the concert, but because, as we’ve established, I’m a moron, I didn’t expect to see them splashed all over my Facebook feed the next day.”

“Always expect to see pictures of us splashed all over your newsfeed.” I give a little shrug. “That way you’re pleasantly surprised if you don’t find them.”

“Okay.” His other hand inches up my back, pressing my body closer to his. “Anything else?”

I let him pull me close, but stop when my mouth is inches from his. “Is this for real? We’re together? I can announce to the world that you’re my boyfriend? You’ll go with me to awards shows and all the red carpet crap?”

“Yes.” With that simple answer, I let him crush my mouth to his, sliding my arms around his neck and pressing myself as close to him as I can.

His arms wrap around me, and he leans us to the side till we’re both horizontal on the couch. One hand finds its way under my shirt, his fingertips tracing lines and swirls over my ribcage on their way to capture my breast.

He swallows my gasp of pleasure as he pinches my nipple, his tongue delving into my mouth. Writhing beneath him, I tug at his shirt, wanting it off, wanting mine off, everything off. My legs are still wrapped around his hips, and I press against him, sliding myself against the hard bulge behind his zipper.

Tearing his mouth away, he blinks at me from behind his glasses that are sliding down his nose. Disentangling my hands from his hair, I carefully slide his glasses off, fold them, and set them on the coffee table. Then I bring my hands back to his cheeks and bring his mouth to mine, pressing a sweet kiss to his soft, swollen lips.

I love having him like this, all disheveled and breathless, his pupils blown with lust, his eyes heavy with love.

“I love you,” I whisper, then kiss him again.

He chases me when I pull back, kneading my breast and tasting every corner of my mouth. When I’m panting and arching into him again, he breaks the kiss with one final swipe of his tongue across my lower lip. “I love you too, Charlie,” he whispers back. His eyes study my face, a small smile curving his beautiful mouth, then he pushes himself up and stands. Catching my hands, he pulls me up too. “I don’t know when my roommates are planning on coming home. But once I get you naked, I don’t plan on letting you get dressed again for a long time, so I think we should go to my room.”

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